meningitis Flashcards
define meningitis?
inflammation of the leptomeninges
what are the leptomeninges?
arachnoid and pia
define meningoencephalitis
inflammation of the leptomeninges + underlying brain
etymology of meninges?
mening (greek) = membrane
etymology of leptomeninges?
leptos = thin
mening (greek) = membrane
prevalence per 100,000?
2-5/100,000
most common cause of meningitis?
infection
risk factors for meningitis?
Immunocompromised
Not vaccinated
Crowded environments
order of meninges
DAP
why would an old person or a person with HIV be at risk of meningitis?
immunocompromised
what type of rash could a pt with meningitis have?
how do you test if it is said rash?
result of said test?
non-blanching rash
press glass against it,
will not disappear
cause of meningococcus meningitis?
Neisseria meningitidis
most common bacterial cause of meningitis in neonates?
Group B streptococcus
most common bacterial cause of meningitis? (regardless of age)
S. Pneumonia
most common viral cause of meningitis?
enteroviruses
which is more common cause of meningitis:
HSV-2 meningitis or HSV-1 meningitis
HSV-2 meningitis
HSV-2 meningitis is what type of virus?
- basically what does it stand for?
herpes simples virus
coxsackie & echovirus come under what group of viruses?
enteroviruses
of bacteria, viruses and fungi which is rarest cause of meningitis?
fungi
of bacteria and viral cause of meningitis,
which is more common?
viral
of bacteria and viral cause of meningitis,
which is more lethal?
bacteria
of bacteria and viral cause of meningitis,
which is usually self-limiting?
viral
a non blanching rash is associated with which type of meningitis?
meningococcal disease
meningism is a clinical syndrome.
what is classic triad of symptoms?
Headache
Photophobia
Neck Stiffness
aside from meningism what other symptoms can occur?
Confusion
Fever
N&V
Seizures
what is Kernig’s sign?
hip flexed and knee at 90°,
extension of the knee causes pain
what is brudzinski sign?
severe neck stiffness causes hips and knees to flex when neck is flexed.
pt confirmed with infective meningitis:
which drug is given prophylactically to contacts?
ciprofloxacin.
pt comes to hospital with meningitis.
what drug is given immediately before Ix are done?
what is route?
IV ceftriaxone
what Ix are done for pt with suspected meningitis?
-7
why do you do each/ what result would indicate meningitis?
FBC - leukocytosis
CRP – raised
Coagulation screen – required prior to LP
Blood glucose – need to compare to CSF glucose
Blood culture - +ve if bacterial infection
Whole-blood PCR - for N meningitidis
LP & CSF analysis
pt with suspected meningitis.
two reasons why LP might be CI?
increased ICP
meningococcal septicaemia
most common complication of meningitis?
Sensorineural hearing loss
severe complication you must be wary of with meningitis and really any infection?
sepsis
mortality rate of Meningococcal meningitis in adults?
10%
mortality rate of pneumococcal meningitis?
22%
you are a GP.
pt comes and you suspect meningococcal meningitis due to a particular type of rash and some other symptoms.
what type of rash is it?
what must you as GP give immediately?
where must you send pt now ASAP?
non-blanching rash
Benzylpenicillin (IM/IV)
hospital
what blood test must you do before a LP?
coagulation screen
